Åland Islands | The Countries Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The Åland Islands is an autonomous region of Finland , located in the Baltic Sea. In 1994 the Åland Islands held a separate referendum which approved the islands accession to the European Union , together with Finland in the following year. History Edit The first security policy issue Finland faced upon becoming independent concerned the Åland Islands. Settled by Swedes in about the sixth century A.D., the islands were administered as part of Finland as long as Sweden was part of the Kingdom of Sweden . In 1809 they were transferred to Russian sovereignty, where they remained until the Russian Revolution. Throughout this period, almost all of the inhabitants of the Åland Islands, the Ålanders, continued to be Swedish speakers. During the chaos of the Russian Revolution, the Ålanders began negotiations to be united with Sweden, a move that was later supported in a plebiscite by 96 percent of the islands' inhabitants. The Swedish government welcomed this move, and in February 1918 sent troops who disarmed the Russian forces and the Red Guards, of the unrecognized Finnish Socialist Conciliar Republic , on the islands.

The Finns felt that the Swedish intervention in the Åland Islands represented an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Finland . Tension rose as both countries claimed the islands, Sweden emphasizing the principle of national self-determination and Finland pointing to its historical rights and to the need to have the islands in order to defend Finland's southwestern coast. The German Empire then moved into the islands as part of its intervention in the civil war and forced out the Swedes; later that year, however, Germany handed the islands over to Finland. The Finns arrested the Åland separatist leaders on charges of treason. In 1920 both countries referred the matter to the League of Nations , which ruled the following year in favor of Finland. The Swedes were placated by the demilitarization of the islands as well as by the grant of extensive autonomy to the Ålanders, a settlement that still remains. [1] Autonomy Edit The Åland Islands enjoys considerable autonomy by virtue of the Autonomy Act of 1951 that guarantees the way of life and the preservation of Swedish traditions on the islands. The 1951 law was supplemented by a 1975 law that restricts the acquisition of real estate on the islands.

Both laws have constitutional status, and they may be altered only in accordance with the strict parliamentary provisions that protect the Constitution. In addition to this protection against legislation prejudicial to its interests, the archipelago's parliamentary assembly, the Lagting, has the right to ratify laws affecting it. The Lagting consists of thirty members elected on the basis of proportional representation for four-year terms. Voters must be eighteen years of age by the year of the election and must have the right of domicile on the islands, a right acquired by living for at least five years in the province. Those with this right may also exercise certain professions and may acquire real estate, and they may not be conscripted if they have been residents of the islands since before their twelfth year. This last provision resulted from the demilitarized and neutral status of the islands established by a decision of the League of Nations in 1921. The Lagting has the right to pass laws that touch on administration, provincial taxation, police matters, transportation, health care, and cultural matters. Issues relating to the Constitution, national defense, foreign affairs, the judiciary, family law, and civil law are outside its competence.

All laws passed by the Lagting must be approved by the president of the republic, who may veto those laws judged to exceed the Lagting's competence or to damage the country's internal or external security. [2] Government Edit The highest executive authority on the islands is the autonomous Government of Åland, consisting of seven members elected by, and from within, the Lagting. The government must enjoy the confidence of the Lagting to carry out its duties, and the premier can be forced to resign if this is not the case. The governor in Mariehamn the represents the national government of Finland . He is appointed by the president of the republic, but only after the approval of the Lagting, and is responsible for those administrative functions beyond the competence of regional authorities. Another link between the islands and the national government is the Åland Delegation, usually headed by the governor; its other four members are chosen by the Council of State of Finland and the Lagting. The delegation's chief duties are supervising transfers of funds from the national government to the regional government, to pay for the costs of self government, and examining laws passed by the Lagting, before sending them to the president.

In addition to these ties between the archipelago and the mainland, the province has one representative in the Riksdag, the national parliament, who usually has a seat on the Constitutional Committee in order to protect the islands' rights. Since 1970 the islands has had one delegate at the annual meeting of the Nordic Council ( ₳ | ₩ ). During the late 1980s, changes of a constitutional nature in the relations between the Åland Islands and the national government were under review in the Riksdag. The projected legislation touched on increased provincial control of the taxes the archipelago pays or generates and on greater control over radio and television reception, with the aim of increasing access to programming from Sweden and to the Swedish-language programs of the Finnish broadcasting system. Having secured the right to issue their own stamps in 1984, the archipelago's inhabitants also wanted to have their own postal system, a right still reserved to the national government. Under discussion, too, were international guarantees for the islands' security.

[3] Governor Peter Lindbäck ( ₩ ) (April 1, 1999 - ) Chief minister Viveka Eriksson ( ₩ ) (November 26, 2007 - November 25, 2011) Camilla Gunell ( ₩ ) (November 25, 2011 - ) References ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 1 - Historical Setting ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 4 - Government and Politics ↑ Library of Congress - Country Studies: Finland: Chapter 4 - Government and Politics Aland Islands: population, area, capital, cities ... Aland Islands Description of Aland Islands The Aland Islands is a region of Finland. It is located where the Gulf of Bothnia meets the Baltic Sea. The islands are Finland’s smallest region. The main island of the region is Fasta Aland and this is where 90% of the population lives. The rest of the region is made up of 6500 islands and skerries. Fasta Island is just 24 miles off the coast of Sweden.

The only land border for the island is the skerry Market, which is uninhabited and shares a border with Sweden. The autonomous status of the island means that the powers that are normally given to representatives in central Finnish government are mostly exercised by their own government. This autonomous status was affirmed in 1921 by the League of Nations. Aland Islands are entirely demilitarized and politically neutral. This means that residents of the island are exempt from being a part of the Finnish Defense Forces. History The islands were formed as part of the territory that was ceded to Russia from Sweden through the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in the year 1809 in the month of September. The treaty resulted in the islands along with what is now Finland becoming the Grand Duchy of Finland. Sweden did not secure a provision for the islands not to be fortified during this process. This issue was important for both Sweden and the UK as both countries were concerned that any type of military presence located on the island could be a threat to the military and commercial interests of the country. In the year 1832, the fortress of Bomarsund was built by the Russians to fortify the islands.

A combination of French and British warships captured and destroyed Bomarsund in the year 1854 during a Baltic campaign of the Crimean War. The entire set of islands was demilitarized by the Treaty of Paris in 1856. In 1918, during the Finnish Civil War, the Swedes acted as a peacekeeping force between the Red and White Finnish troops and the Russian troops. Some historians think that Sweden actually planned on occupying the islands. In just a few weeks the Swedish troops were overtaken by German troops. The troops from Germany occupied the islands by request of the conservative “white” troops from Finland. After the year 1917, the people who lived on the islands worked at having the islands ceded to Sweden. In the year 1919, the residents signed a petition for secession from Finland and integrated with Sweden. Almost 95% of the residents were in favor of this petition. There were several reasons for this strong sentiment towards Sweden. First, there were the anti-Swedish tendencies in the country of Finland. Another issue was the nationalism of Finland because of its struggle to retain autonomy.

There was also the issue of the resistance to Russification that was taking place in the country. The final issue was that the population was apprehensive about their future with Finland because of the conflict with the Swedish speaking people and the Finnish speaking population who had been prominent in the political life of Finland since the 1840s. Finland refused to cede the islands to Sweden and instead provided autonomous status to the islands. The residents did not approve of this and the dispute was sent to the League of Nations. The League of Nations determined that Finland would keep sovereignty over the islands, but they would be made into an autonomous territory. This meant that the residents of the island could maintain the Swedish language, including their own local traditions and culture. During this time an international treaty was established to provide the islands with a neutral status. Throughout the 20th century many of the islanders have found the sovereignty from Finland to be beneficial.

The combination of being disappointed by the lack of support from Sweden during the League of Nations, the disrespect from Sweden for the islands demilitarized status during the 1930s, and some of the feelings shared with Finland both during and after the Second World War has changed many people’s point of view about the islands being a possession of Finland to a part of Finland. The island was safe during World War II because the merchant fleets would sail for both sides of the war and because of this it was not attacked as each side did not know who the merchants were carrying for at any time. Visit Aland Islands When visiting the Aland Islands it is important to note that many of the attractions are only open during the late spring and during the summer months. When the attractions are closed they can only be viewed from the outside. This being said, there are several tourist sites that you should consider visiting on your trip to the islands. The Kastelholm is a castle located on the northern part of the main island. The castle was created in the 1380s and was the home of many Swedish kings who ruled over both Finland and Sweden from this area. There are guided tours of the ruin available.

Another place that is close to the Kastelholm is the Open Air Museum. There are a number of traditional buildings that have been moved in from other areas. In 2008, the admission to the museum was free, but there was a charge to tour the prison museum located in the same area. Fortress of Bomarsund was built from 1830 through 1854 by the Russians. It was mostly ruined during the Crimean war. Today you can find a small museum with artifacts and pictures of the fortress on display. While you are on the islands you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy. You will want to take advantage of the many great hiking trails that are available as well as the quite countryside. You can also find many great beaches and bath houses in the area. It is important to note that shopping on the islands can be quite expensive as most of the items have been imported. The official tourism organization of the Aland Islands, Visit Aland, promotes tourism to the region. Aland Islands Tourism Compared to other areas of Scandinavia, the Aland Islands have a relatively mild climate. That makes it very attractive to tourists that don’t like the harsher and colder climates of other Scandinavian nations.

The Aland Islands have more sunshine hours each year than any other site in the region. During the middle part of the summer, the sun rises at 3:30 AM and sets at 10 PM. The summers of the Aland Islands are warm and its winters are mild, making it a favorite holiday destination for visitors from Finland, Sweden, and the rest of Europe - including Americans that know about the milder climate. The capital of Aland is Mariehamn, and it has a long and rich maritime history. It is mostly a shipping town, and it is also the site of a museum ship that remains in its original condition. The Aland Islands are a bunch of islands that are inside an archipelago, and the eight islands in the archipelago are the site of a number of tiny villages, a lot of which have architectural monuments like castles and abbeys. One of the most popular attractions is Kastelholm Castle, which dates back to the 16th century. Aland brings in a lot of tourists that want to participate in outdoor activities, with camping, horse riding, hiking, paddling, and diving being some of those activities.

It is also possible to hunt in the Aland Islands, and the local tourism organization encourages it. Over 200,000 tourists come to Aland each year. Most of the tourists are from Sweden and Finland, and just roughly 12% are from other countries. The average stay is a little over two nights. Tourists stay in hotels, guest houses, and cottages, and some of them even camp. Attractions & Excursions Attractions The Aland Islands and the Port of Mariehamn are welcoming toward all cruise passengers. The Aland Islands are a unique and and exciting cruise destination in the Baltic region. There are shore excursions that can be set up for any of Aland’s big attractions. The Maritime Museum And The Museum Ship Pommern The Maritime Museum and the Museum Ship Pommern, both world-renowned, tell the story of how seamen lived aboard ship. The Russian Fortress Of Bomarsund This Russian fortress is a fun destination for a short excursion. It was created in 1832 by the Russians, and the work continued on until the fortress was overtaken by the Crimean War in 1854.

Even though the fortress was overthrown, it is still one of the coolest sights in the Aland Islands. The Castle Of Kastelholm You should take a short tour of the Castle of Kastelholm. The castle was developed in the 1300s, and it has gone through both piracy and sieges throughout history. It was once the home of a Swedish king, King Gustav. Jan Karlsgarden Go a couple hundred years back in time. Take a trip to the gorgeous Jan Karlsgarden, a traditional farmstead from the 1800s. It shows how life was like before the modern era. The farmstead is near the Castle of Kastelholm You can also check out the nearby Vita Bjorn. The Aland Churches A large number of churches were built on the islands in the 1200s and 1300s. You can still find a dozen or so medieval churches. These are maybe the most interesting memories from the Middle Ages. The Aland Hunting & Fishing Museum Life for Alanders was sometimes hard and food was scarce. This museum shows what it was like for hunters and fishermen to keep food on the table.

Excursions Check out ASS Segel-paviljongen on the western harbor. It’s the oldest restaurant in Aland, the the cuisine is exquisite and tasty. It is a culinary experience that you don’t want to miss. Stallhagen If you are interested in drinking beer, then the brewery Stallhagen is a great spot for you to visit. The brewery will give you an insight into how beer is brewed, and you can sample the Stallhagen Lager in the pub. The brewery used to be a Russian military barrack. Viking Village The Vikings were an interesting people. How did they live and what did they eat? You can see what it was like to eat like a Viking when you sit at the long table in Viking Village. You will get served up with entertainment and food in a Viking fashion. You can come with a group of up to 50 people. Culture & Sights There is a lot to discover in a little space in Aland. The big island isn’t any bigger than 45 km in a north-south direction and 50 km in an east-west direction. The island has a small size, and so it is easy to discover everything that the island has to offer.

Sightseeing on Aland means checking out everything from Mariehamn to Kastelholm Castle. There are a number of fine museums on this beautiful archipelago, as well. Don’t forget to peruse what the local artisans have to offer in terms of arts, crafts, and designs. You should purchase and take home some souvenirs from this unique Scandinavian region. If you’ve never seen the most beautiful part of Scandinavia, then you don’t know what you’re missing out on. The best part hasn’t even been mentioned: the people. The people are truly fabulous, and they are some of the nicest, warmest, and most hospitable in the world. When you visit eateries, bed & breakfasts, cafes, and pubs, you will find that the people of Scandinavia – and especially the Aland Islands – are a kinder, gentler, warmer people than what you might be used to back home. Of course, if you’re from elsewhere in Europe, the contrast won’t be as stark. Be sure to sample the local cuisine and beverages. Some of the seafood and ale is considered the best in the world. Take your smartphone so you can capture Instagram photos of your delicious meals and beverages.

Some facts about Aland Islands Population of country Åland Islands, Baltic Sea - YouTube Åland Islands, Baltic Sea Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Mar 5, 2013 This is a video of my trip to Åland Islands I did in August 2011. The Åland Islands is an autonomous, demilitarised, monolingually Swedish-speaking region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. Collectively, the islands in the archipelago form the smallest region of Finland, constituting 0.49% of its land area and 0.50% of its population. Åland's autonomous status means that those provincial powers normally exercised by representatives of the central Finnish government are largely exercised by its own government.

Category Åland Islands - Discover 6,700 islands | Visit Åland Meet Åland on trade shows 2017 Archipelago getaway Åland is made for a relaxing weekend getaway. Come and spend some relaxing days on your own, with a friend or partner or with the whole family. The refreshing and inspiring archipelago nature of Åland, various outdoor and indoor activities and local delicacies are waiting for visitors of all ages and with different interests. Enjoy cabin life Bring your family or friends and enjoy cabin life in Åland. Stay comfortably in a cottage suitable for all year round use or rent an own island. Relax in the sauna, take walks along the red granite rock and go kayaking and fishing. Cozy up by the fireplace and enjoy the great company. Maybe you even get a chance to do some storm watching and see the Northern Lights as well. Cabin life in Åland – all year round The re-opened Art Museum The Åland Islands Art Museum opened its doors after a few years of renovation. The art museum presents a broad spectrum of art on the Åland Islands from sculptures and paintings to modern video installations. In addition, the museum regularly presents special exhibits offering new impressions and influences to visitors.

The art museum continuously seeks to be an inspiring forum for both artists and visitors. Welcome to visit two museums under one roof and to see the new exhibitions at the renovated facilities. Welcome to the Åland Islands Art Museum The new Cultural History Museum The Cultural History Museum of Åland has opened its doors again. In the completely renewed main exhibition you can follow Åland’s story, from the first seal-hunters, who set foot on these rocky islands, to today’s global and multi-cultural society. The exhibition is divided up chronologically – prehistory, the medieval period, the era of the great powers, the 1800s and the 1900s – guiding you step by step through 7500 years of Åland’s history. The exhibition tells of both dramatic events and everyday life, of toil and festivities. Welcome to visit two museums under one roof and to see the new exhibitions at the renovated facilities. Welcome to the new exhibitions The Finnish Museum of the Year 2016 Åland’s Maritime Museum is a museum with a difference that has something to offer every visitor. Seafarers’ own accounts, exciting objects, beautiful interiors and interactive stations make for a vivid overview of Åland’s maritime cultural.

A world class museum - well worth several visits. Explore Åland's maritime heritage Culinary Åland Small-scale agriculture and locally produced. Handmade goat’s cheese, deep-fried seaweed, air-dried meat, sausages, blueberry beer, grape jelly. New ideas are bubbling in pots and pans as local gastronomers enthusiastically head toward the future armed with traditional Åland foods and culinary skills. Welcome to culinary Åland! Shopping and handicrafts within walking distance The art handicraft tradition is really alive in Åland. The artisans combine old handicraft techniques with new creativity. In the handicraft shops you’ll find art of living and natural material such as wood, textiles, wool, leather, metal, glass and clay. Handicrafts from Åland are mostly found in the shops in Mariehamn and the Maritime Quarter. Shop till you drop in Åland Historic title IFK Mariehamn made Finnish football history and secured the football league championship Sunday 23rd of October. Congratulations IFK Mariehamn for the historic title and the best season of the club history.

The town of Mariehamn and the Government of Åland hold a medal celebration at the market square of Mariehmn Monday 24th of October at 7 pm in order to celebrate the first league championship of the club. Photo: Nya Åland Short documentary by Nya Åland Devil's Bride The film Devil's Bride from the award winning director Saara Cantell was shot mainly in the Åland islands. The film is based on a true story taking place on Åland in 1666, just as the most widespread and systematic witch hunts in Scandinavian history were beginning. The movie had its red carpet premiere for invited guests at Bio Savoy in Mariehamn on 2nd of September, and the film will be released in cinemas in Finland on Friday 9th of September. Do you recognize some places from Åland in the trailer? Watch the trailer Films of Åland Visit Åland proudly presents several theme films, among them a film of Åland produced for British Airways. Enjoy the very best these islands have to offer. In the middle of the Baltic Sea, a paradise for peacemakers - CSMonitor.com In the middle of the Baltic Sea, a paradise for peacemakers Latest News Who owns the moon?

Competition heats up for Google's Lunar X Prize. path to progress The Aland Islands were once contested by Finland and Sweden, their immediate neighbors. But the dispute's peaceful resolution has worked so well that Aland now serves as an example to other cultural conflicts. By Gordon F. Sander, Correspondent July 26, 2016 A ship sits in harbor in Mariehamn, the capital of the Aland Islands autonomous region of Finland. Gregory Wrona/Newscom View Caption of MARIEHAMN, Finland — Sloops and cutters tack back and forth against the summer sky. Peacocks mingle with the natives at the town beach along its graceful mile-long waterfront. Mariehamn, the capital of Aland, a Finnish archipelago in the middle of the Baltic, is as bucolic a place as one can find in or near Europe these days. Attractive though it is, Mariehamn’s Elysian calm is only partly the product of its unique topography. It also derives from Aland’s unique status.

The chain of some 6,500 islands is an autonomous, Swedish-speaking province of Finland, as well as Europe’s only officially demilitarized and neutralized zone. And its capital is the site of the Aland Peace Institute, a busy think tank devoted to promoting conflict resolution, as well as educating the world about the so-called "Aland Model" of self-governance and successful majority/minority relations. Recommended: Think you know Europe? Take our geography quiz. Established almost a century ago, the Aland Model – or Example, as the institute prefers to call it – refers to the internationally guaranteed protection afforded the Swedish-speaking minority population of Aland, by which the federal government essentially allows the 29,000 Alanders to manage their own affairs, while also abiding by Aland’s demilitarized status. The institute, founded in 1992, was set up to assist other regions and minorities, both in Europe and further abroad, in peacefully resolving their own linguistic or ethnic-based separatist conflicts. Areas whose representatives have studied Aland and selectively applied the lessons thereby gained include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Corsica, and Myanmar.

“The institute is a medium by which we like to share our experiences with other areas in the world which are dealing with majority-minority issues and related matters," says Kjell-Ake Nordquist, the director of the Peace Institute. A country within a country Things haven’t always been so pacific in Aland. In 1854, during the Crimean War, the islands were the site of a violent naval action when a combined Anglo-Franco task force blew up the mammoth Bormasund fortress then being erected in the Aland Islands by the Russian Empire, which had wrested the islands from Sweden 50 years before. After the war, which Russia lost to Britain and France, the islands were officially demilitarized by common consent of the major powers, creating the world’s first peace zone. But true peace had not come to Aland yet. Following World War I, Finland and Sweden locked horns over the contentious islands. Helsinki insisted that it needed the islands, which are actually located closer to Finland, for its defense. Stockholm wanted to reunite the Swedish-speaking islands with the mainland. So did the fiercely Swedophile Alanders.

The disputants elected to submit their dispute to the newly minted League of Nations. In 1921, the League decided to award Aland to Finland, on condition that Helsinki respect the archipelago’s indigenous Swedish culture, as well as its demilitarized status. The solution worked well – so well that Alanders relinquished their desire for repatriation with Sweden, and developed a quasi-national identity of their own, within Finland, along with a proudly peaceful ethos. Defense of the archipelago is Helsinki’s responsibility, along with its limited foreign affairs. Virtually everything else – education, medical care, law and order – is the responsibility of the discrete Aland government, which also has its own parliament, the Lagting. In effect, Aland is a country within a country. It even has its own flag and postal service. War and its accoutrements are strictly verboten. Although Finland is responsible for the islands’ defense, Finnish military personnel are not welcome there (at least in uniform).

Peace is truly the law, and the credo, in this, Europe’s only official “peace zone.” 'A kind of smorgasbord' The specific process that led to the establishment of the Peace Institute actually began in the 1980s. At the time of the then-intense European anti-nuclear movement, Aland became a symbol for the possibility for creating safe spaces without weapons, as well as a successful example of conflict solution by diplomatic means. In recent years, as separatist issues and concerns have become an increasing force in world affairs, many from afflicted regions have taken a look at Aland to see what they could learn and apply in their own lands. “The Peace Institute is the ultimate fruit of a long process which began 300 years ago when Peter the Great negotiated with Stockholm over the rights to access Aland waters,” says Anders Wiklof, a leading Alandic businessman and entrepreneur and backer of the institute. “We like to think of the Aland Example with its three layers – demilitarization, neutralization, and autonomy – as a kind of smorgasbord enabling many variations and adaptations,” says Sia Spiliopoulou Akermark, the institute's research manager.

Interest in Aland has been especially intense in the former Soviet republics, with their many separate, oft-warring linguistic and ethnic enclaves. This past May, for example, the institute hosted a working group comprised of representatives of the parliament of the former Soviet republic of Moldova and the autonomous, ethnically distinct region of Gagauzia to see what they could learn from how Aland manages it affairs with Helsinki, and vice versa. Institute staff have also traveled to hot spots to lend their expertise around the world. Nordquist, who is also a professor of peace and conflict studies at Sweden’s Uppsala University, recently returned from Mindanao in the Philippines, where he was asked to consult on the conflict between the central government in Manila and the indigenous Moro minority on Mindanao. Aland's limits To be sure, visitors who come to study the Aland Way sometimes find that there is a conflict between the beneficent model and the messier, extrajudicial reality they confront at home. In 2001, for example, the institute hosted a “Seminar on Autonomy and Conflict Management” for parliamentarians from Ukraine and Crimea.

But the participants ultimately found it impossible to put what they learned in Mariehamn into practice after Russia’s decision to annex Crimea outright in 2014. Mr. Wiklof emphasizes that the “Aland Solution,” while applicable in parts to conflict areas, was originally possible because the two original disputants, Finland and Sweden, “are societies based on the rule of law,” something that is not necessarily true elsewhere. Still, Ms. Akermark says that the Aland Islands are all the more important today, now that the Baltic has once again become the site of tensions among the great powers. “I think all the powers have been eager to establish their rights in the Baltic Sea. Their perennial arms race is not helpful for the states and peoples living around the Baltic. We like to think that we can help show that there is a different way, based on negotiations, respect for indigenous cultures, human rights, and constitutional law.” Next up Get the Monitor stories you care about delivered to your inbox.

Daily The Complete Guide To The Baltic Islands | The Independent Europe The Complete Guide To The Baltic Islands From the white sands of Bornholm to the party towns of R&uuml;gen, the calm waters of the north are scattered with scores of gorgeous resorts and villages Friday 9 June 2006 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Travel I'M IN THE DEEP If you have never heard of the Baltic islands, you are not alone. There are literally thousands of these lovely segments of land in the Baltic Sea, which remain very little visited by the British. Yet a great many of them offer wonderful sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages, nature reserves and unspoilt stretches of forest. There are ruined castles on some, lighthouses and windmills on others. And if the gentle delights of an old-fashioned seaside holiday start to wane, there's a soft buzz at many of the resort towns of the larger islands. Indeed, while the Brits head south to find the sun, in the long days of the northern summer the islands of the Baltic become playgrounds for the locals - Scandinavians, Germans, Estonians and more. THE MEDITERRANEAN OF THE NORTH? Well, to an extent.

But the Baltic Sea is quite a bit smaller, and clearly the climate is cooler. In a manner of speaking the various cultures of the area are, too: this arm of the Atlantic Ocean is bordered by Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark. The Baltic Sea is ecologically unique. In fact, some might say it is hardly a sea at all; with some 200 large rivers draining into it, this is the world's largest area of brackish water. Much of the salinity remains below 40m, so if you swim here you'll barely taste any salt. You'll also be struck by the stillness of the water - the tides are tiny. The Baltic Sea is almost entirely surrounded by land: its in- and outflow to the North Sea is through shallow straits around Sweden and Denmark. This, in turn, limits the drainage of the Baltic Sea. Astonishingly, it takes between 25 and 30 years for all the waters to be renewed, making the area vulnerable to pollution. For the last 25 years it has been carefully monitored and protected by a marine environment body known the Helsinki Commission or Helcom.

BRING ME SUNSHINE For the brightest days, make for the Swedish islands of Gotland and Oland, which are said to have the most hours of sunshine in the Baltic Sea. Gotland, about 88km from the mainland, is the largest of the Baltic islands and one of the most historic. Traditionally the homeland of the fearsome Goths, it was important in Viking times and subsequently became a large medieval trading centre. The Hanseatic town of Visby, with its ancient walls and cobbled streets, is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. A huge medieval festival is held here every August (this year from 6-13 August). Head east of Visby to see standing stones and the extraordinary Gothem church, dating from 1300. The island's best beach life is south of Visby at Tofta.

Comfortable accommodation here includes Hotel Toftagarden (00 46 498 297 000; ), its 70 cabin-style rooms set in parkland and offering a range of options from budget (doubles from SEK580/£43 including breakfast) to luxury with terrace and satellite TV (SEK1,490/£111 including breakfast). You can access Gotland by plane and on high-speed ferry from Stockholm or Malmo, which themselves are accessible on Ryanair (0871 246 0000; ); it serves Malmo, Stockholm Skavsta and Vasteras ("Stockholm West") from Stansted, and Skavsta from Prestwick. The main airport for Stockholm is Arlanda, served from Edinburgh, Heathrow, London City and Manchester by SAS (0870 60 727 727; ). British Airways (0870 850 9850; ) flies from Heathrow and Manchester. For onward connections visit . Oland, connected to Kalmar on the mainland by a 6km-long bridge, is quicker to reach.

The 400 or so windmills here are no mean indication as to the bracing breezes that accompany the sunshine on this long, thin island. Evidently, the wind factor does not deter the Swedish Royal family - and the two million or so other tourists who arrive in July and August every year. They make mainly for the beaches in the north, and come south to visit nature reserves and the fortified settlement of Eketorp, dating from the fourth century. The town of Borgholm on the mid-western coast has the best range of places to stay including the Hotell Borgholm (00 46 485 770 60; ), a boutique establishment where 33 stylish double rooms cost from SEK1,190 (£89) with breakfast. AND FOR CHILL-OUT CHARM? Head east from Stockholm. Sweden's capital lies at the edge of a large and very lovely group of islands where wild grasses grow between sand and rock, and blueberry bushes carpet the ground beneath fir trees. Some are inhabited - such as Namdo with its farmland and twisty lanes, and Moja with its fishing villages.

Some are no more than rocky skerries. Depending on your definition of an island, there are between 10,000 and 30,000 of them in the Stockholm Archipelago. The area is a much-loved destination for Stockholmites and there's a gentle, almost nostalgic atmosphere here: this is the Cornwall, or Isle of Wight, of Sweden. In the summer the islands are served by ferry from Strandvagen and Slussen in the city centre, or from slightly out of town at Stavsnas, where you can leave a car. A boat trip anywhere in the archipelago is a gloriously relaxing experience, the waters around you plied with sleek yachts as you wind between islands and call in at tiny harbours. Sandhamn, the stop furthest east, is where the most glamorous locals go. This is the main settlement on the tiny island of Sandon, which is ringed with sandy beaches and dotted with clapboard houses. August Strindberg was among the first of the tourists who started visiting Sandon in the latter part of the 19th century.

Today, a chic yet laid-back atmosphere prevails at Sands Hotell (00 46 8 571 530 20; ) just above the harbour. This boutique outfit offers elegant dining as well as 18 rooms costing from SEK1,850 (£138), including breakfast. Alternatively, you can rent a cottage here and get a real sense of how the Swedes relax. One of the few UK travel companies operating in this area is Scantours (020-7554 3530; ), which can tailor-make self-catering packages to the Stockholm Archipelago. The accommodation is in attractive, simply furnished wooden cottages, often with a boat included. A seven-day holiday on Sandon, for example, costs from £365 per person, based on four people sharing and including cottage, car hire and return flights from Heathrow to Stockholm. I'D LIKE TO BE A WORLD AWAY Then look no further than Finland's Aland islands. Set in the Gulf of Bothnia, more or less between Grisslehamn in Sweden and the Finnish port of Turku, this intriguing archipelago is literally a law unto itself.

Aland has its own parliament, flag, stamps, and even car licence plates - although by and large you'll find that bicycle and boat are the preferred modes of transport. Such independence and autonomy is not unlike that of the Channel Islands, except that in Aland few people actually speak the mother tongue of the mainland: the official language of this region of Finland is Swedish. The looming hulk of Russia lies behind the special status of these 6,500 islands. In the early 1700s, Russia conquered much of Finland. The Alanders received particularly brutal treatment, and most of them fled to the Swedish mainland. In due course they returned, although the Russians occupied the islands again in 1809. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 the Alanders, fearing another invasion, lobbied to become part of Sweden. Finally, in 1921, the matter was resolved by the League of Nations, which granted Aland autonomous - and demilitarised - status within Finland.

The main island, also named Aland, is linked by air to Turku, Helsinki and Stockholm, and* *ferries from various Finnish and Swedish ports as well as Tallinn in Estonia call in here and at the island of Eckero. Other than isolated, scenic villages, the attractions of the archipelago include its miles of cycle routes (bikes go free on the inter-island ferries); the medieval churches; and perhaps most of all Kastelholm Castle, dating from the 1300s, on the island of Sund, where you can also see the remains of Bomarsund fortress built by the Russians. Today the islands have a resident population of about 26,000. This more than doubles in the summer when nature-loving crowds descend, most of them retreating to the joys of waterside log cabins. From the UK, you can rent such accommodation through Scandinavian Holidays (0118 931 4196; ): at Skag on the northern tip of Eckero, for example, a comfortable cabin sleeping six and equipped with sauna and TV costs from €575 (£410) for a week in June.

The company can also organise flights or ferry trips from the UK via Gothenburg or Stockholm - it recommends travel via Sweden since prices are cheaper than in Finland. For more information on the Aland archipelago see . BALTIC ISLANDS, BALTIC STATES? Three small republics bordering the Baltic were part of the USSR until 1991. From east to west, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania border the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. All three became members of the EU in 2004 (very passionately so, too), but only Estonia has a significant island group. The West Estonian Archipelago is a place of old windmills, sleepy fishing villages and thatched cottages. Saaremaa, the largest of the hundreds of islands here, has a permanent population of about 40,000 who still celebrate folk traditions with gusto. It also boasts a large 13th-century castle, Kuressaare, now an absorbing museum, and a liberal sprinkling of medieval churches. Hiiumaa offers one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world and some stunningly long sandy beaches. Tiny Muhu is a place of wild orchids and colourful folk art.

It also has one of the best hotels in the country: dating from the 14th century, Padaste Manor has been beautifully restored and has a gourmet restaurant and spa with sauna and herbal steam room. Baltic Holidays (0870 757 9233; ) offers three nights here for £359 per person. The price includes breakfast and transfers from Tallinn airport, but not flights. Most significant of all are the diverse landscapes and eco-systems of the islands, and since 1990 much of the West Estonian Archipelago has been protected as a nature reserve. Indeed, the Earthwatch Institute (01865 318831; ) is running a research project here, and welcomes paying volunteers to help survey the grasslands and birdlife of Vormsi island. The next 12-day expedition starts out on 20 July: participants are asked to contribute £1,150 each towards the project. The cost covers training, meals and farmhouse accommodation. You will need to make your own way to the expedition rendezvous point at Haapsalu on Estonia's mainland, south of the Tallinn.

You can reach Tallinn from Gatwick or Manchester on EstonianAir (00 372 6401 163; ) or from Luton on easyJet (0905 821 0905; com ). HOW ABOUT A BIT OF PARTY SPIRIT? Germany's Rügen Island was a favourite holiday spot of Berlin's party crowd in the 1930s. As part of East Germany it became inaccessible to the West, but since the 1990s it has rapidly come back into fashion for both West and East Germans. And with good reason. Germany's largest island offers sandy beaches - the best being in the south and the east; dramatic cliffs; large expanses of beech forest; and some glorious, fin de siècle spa towns. Granted, you won't exactly find Ibiza-chic throngs, but the handsome resorts of Sellin, Baabe, Göhren and Binz offer lively restaurants and elegant, belle époque promenades lined with white villas and gracious old guesthouses. They are fairly easy to reach, too: the island is connected by a bridge with the city of Stralsund on the mainland.

One of the best places to stay is just beyond Binz on the east coast. Just a pebble's throw from a magical stretch of sandy coast, Seehotel Binz Therme (00 49 383 61510; ) is a slick spa hotel complete with two thermal pools, steam baths, saunas, two excellent restaurants and 143 well-appointed rooms. Doubles cost from €125 (£89) including breakfast. For more information on Rügen visit the website of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern tourist board: . The closest airport is actually across the border in Poland, at Szczecin, with flights from Stansted on Ryanair (0871 246 0000; ). But Berlin, with flights from many UK airports, is a handy alternative. WHERE'S BEST FOR SANDY SHORES? The beaches of Dueodde on Denmark's Bornholm island used to supply sands for Europe's hourglass industry. The remarkable, ultra-fine white sands stretch for several kilometres around the southern tip of the island with lots of dunes and hollows on the widest stretches.

Near the southernmost point Dueodde lighthouse, at 45m the tallest in Scandinavia, offers stunning views over the Baltic Sea. But this is by no means the only great beach area on Bornholm. The island has about 140km of coastline, generously dotted with sandy shores and sheltered coves. The place is compact enough to explore in a day or so, but the scenery and chill-out atmosphere will make you want to stay far longer. Besides, there is quite a bit to see here. You'll come across Bronze Age monoliths and rock carvings as you tour the island, with a particularly well-preserved cairn at Almindingen in the middle of Bornholm. The fortress of Hammershus, on the island's northern tip, is north Europe's biggest castle ruin, its remaining medieval walls adding drama to the skyline. Gudjhem is a bustling fishing port where you can see herring and salmon being brought in. For an idyllic outlook check in at Hotel Skovly (00 45 5695 0784; ), a few kilometres north of the island's small capital, Ronne.

Set in a nature reserve, and close to a wide stretch of sandy beach, this charming, 30-room family hotel offers doubles from DKK640 (£60) including breakfast. There is a small airport at Ronne but you can also reach the island by ferry, either from Denmark or Sweden. For details of all the options visit . CAN I TAKE A CRUISE? Indeed you can. A large number of cruise ships tour the Baltic Sea in the summer, visiting St Petersburg, Tallinn, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. Voyages of Discovery (01444 462 150; ), for example, offers a 15-day cruise in the area, leaving Harwich on 3 September and costing from £1,299 per person including all meals, entertainment and talks. Other Baltic cruise options include Archers Direct (0870 460 3894 ) and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (01473 746175; olsencruises.com ).

Mariehamn – the heart of the Baltic Sea - Visit Åland Visit Åland Mariehamn – the heart of the Baltic Sea Mariehamn – the heart of the Baltic Sea Mariehamn – the heart of the Baltic Sea Mariehamn – the heart of the Baltic Sea The welcoming port of Mariehamn is situated in the very heart of the Baltic Sea, halfway between Finland and Sweden. The Åland Islands consist of altogether 6,700 islands and offer unique archipelago culture, maritime heritage and natural beauty. Åland is an autonomous Swedish-speaking and demilitarized region in Finland, with its own flag, stamps, license plates and top domain “ax”. The perfect complement to the Baltic Sea capitals For visitors, Mariehamn is the perfect antidote to a hectic, big city life style of the Baltic Sea capitals of Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Mariehamn with its 11,000 inhabitants is a picturesque and friendly town characterized by a hospitable islander lifestyle and a strong maritime culture. The town was once the home of the world’s largest oceanic sailing ships fleet and is therefore called “port of the last windjammers”.

The cozy and small city center is just a short walk (900 m) away from the port and it offers restaurants, cafes, shops as well as beaches, great sights and local attractions. Getting around in Mariehamn is easy and the friendly locals with good English skills are glad to help you in any way they can. Åland is widely known for its beautiful and unique archipelago, and it offers spectacular ways to experience the nature through e.g. golf, fishing, cycling, hiking or kayaking. Or why not just lay back and enjoy beautiful sights and the great culinary experiences Åland can offer! Related links Activities and Attractions See and do Related articles Trade shows 2017 Welcome to visit and get a taste of the destination Åland. Meet (Visit) Åland with some tourism entrepreneurs and other local representatives, on trade shows 2017. Read more Enjoy cabin life in the company of others or choose privacy and seclusion About eight or nine out of ten Åland cabins are situated by the water and have access to their own boat and sauna. That means bathing, boat trips and the sun on the horizon.

Just open the door and step out into a forest, on to a meadow or on to red granite rock. Read more The Åland Sea Days During the Sea Days July 20–24th, maritime matters are the common theme of the programme. The main venue for the festival is the Maritime Quarter in the eastern harbor of – a vibrant maritime environment with boatbuilding, smithery and other crafts. Read more Åland Harvest Festival Come and enjoy the bounty of Åland harvest! It’s fresh, green, ripe, locally produced and pure pleasure for the eye and taste buds. Welcome to the Åland Harvest Festival on September 16–18th. Enjoy the lovely atmosphere and learn more about the life in the countryside. Read more Treasure hunt in Mariehamn Mariehamn is a town that is brimming with secrets. There are a large number of caches to be found. But what is a geocache, actually? Read more Åland jewellery with an Italian glow Jewellery craftsman and designer Roberto Ferrari discovered his passion for silver jewellery in the cheery 1970s in Italy. These days he produces jewellery that is inspired by the soil and granite of Åland.

Read more Exercise in the unique archipelago landscape In Åland there are running and cycle races, as well as other sports events for all tastes, for both amateurs and professionals. The events are spread throughout the year. Read more Festivals 2016 – some of the highlights There will be several festivals during the summer. Fishbait Rock Festival, Baltic Shanty Festival, Åland Sea Days, Rockoff, Katrina Chamber Music, Åland Pride… Paleophilatelie.eu - paleontology stamps of Aland Islands next country > > The Åland Islands or Åland is a region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. It is an autonomous, demilitarised and is the only monolingually Swedish-speaking region in Finland. Collectively, the islands in the archipelago form the smallest region of Finland, constituting 0.49% of its land area and 0.50% of its population. The autonomous status of the islands was affirmed by a decision made by the League of Nations in 1921 following the Åland crisis. It was reaffirmed within the treaty admitting Finland to the European Union.

By law, Åland is politically neutral and entirely demilitarised, and residents are exempt from conscription to the Finnish Defence Forces. The islands were granted extensive autonomy by the Parliament of Finland in the Act on the Autonomy of Åland of 1920, which was later replaced by new legislation by the same name in 1951 and 1991. Åland remains exclusively Swedish-speaking by law. In connection with Finland's admission to the European Union, a protocol was signed concerning the Åland Islands that stipulates, among other things, that provisions of the European Community Treaty shall not force a change of the existing restrictions for foreigners (i.e., persons who do not enjoy "home region rights" (hembygdsrätt) in Åland) to acquire and hold real property or to provide certain services. Official Post Administration Posten Aland The first Aland stamps were issued 1 March 1984. Approximately 15 stamps describing the Aland nature, culture, history, society and autonomy are issued every year. Also appearing every year is a variety of other collectibles, all with a connection to the stamp motifs.

Stamps of Aland can be used both for internal and international post services. More information about postal history of Alands Islads are one Agre Russland Click on image to enlarge it or to be redirected to description page. Click on year number to see all Paleontology and Paleoanthropology related stamps issued in the year.

Question: The Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea are a region of which country?
Answer: FINLAND